POLICE are sifting through missing persons' records - including deaf York man Brian Sturdy - to identify a body pulled from the River Ouse in York.

Sergeant Jon Landers, of North Yorkshire Police, said a member of the public reported a body floating in the water under Clifton Bridge, at 4pm, yesterday.

The body, which is believed to be male, was recovered by firefighters and taken to York Hospital mortuary.

Sgt Landers said the body was in a bad state of decomposition and had been in the water for some time.

North Yorkshire Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said police were investigating the possibility the body could have been that of Mr Sturdy. The 42-year-old vanished from his home in Welton Avenue, York, more than four weeks ago.

Brian's mum, Betty, 69, made an emotional plea in the Evening Press on Saturday for him to let her know he was safe.

Mrs Sturdy said today she was aware a body had been found in the river.

Updated: 09:56 Monday, March 21, 2005